Diving-armor



(No Model.) A. HEMENGER.

DIVING ARMOR.

No. 496,686. Patented May 2, 1893.

IN VE N TOR WITNESSES:

THE uanms Pmns co. pncraumu. wAsumoYon. o c

UNITED STATES l ATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR HEMENGER, OF ALGONAC, MICHIGAN.

DlVlNG-ARMOR.

. SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 496,686, dated May 2,1893.

Application filed June 14,1892. Serial No. 486,715. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, ARTHUR HEMENGER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Algonac, in the county of St. Clair and State of Michigan,have invented certain .new and useful Improvements in Diving-Armor; andI do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe-invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

My invention has reference to that class of diving armor which forms aprotective suit of clothing adapted to be worn by the diver, and it isdesigned as an improvement on my prior patent No. 437,779, dated October7, 1890.

The object sought to be accomplished is to provide superior means .forprotecting the limbs of the diver and at the same time allowing them afree universal movement, a

further object being to provide more simple means for taking the armorapart; and astill further object of my device is to construct it muchcheaper, stronger, and more durable.

To this end my invention consists in thepeculiar features more fullydescribed hereinafter and pointed out in the claim.

The accompanying drawings show a general perspective view of my completeapparatus, with the exterior waterproof covering removed to better showthe framework, and

solid parts.

The reference numeral 1, denotes the middle portion or section whichconsists of a circular shell of thin or light metal. To the lower edgeof this section are fastened in any suitable manner the legs 2, both ofwhich are constructed alike. These consist of a spiral wire beginning atthe top and ending at the bottom where it connects to anklets 3. Thecoils taper as they extend downward toward the anklets, and are attachedto a number of flexible strips 4, passing across the coils and extendinglengthwise of the legs. In the present instance four strips are used.These strips serve to allow the coils a limited movement away from eachother, as the legs are extended, and they also serve to hold the coilsin their proper adjustment. To the upper edge of the middle section issecured a secsection is provided with a flat joining surface 10, fromwhich project rigid dowels 11, adapted to pass through correspondingholes 12, in the rim 13, of the collarsection 14. The outer ends of thedowels are screw threaded to receive thumb nuts 15, adapted to clamp thetwo sections together.

The upper part of the collar section is provided with a collar band 16,having rings 17 adapted to receive the suspension ropes (not shown). Thehead section 18, is mounted on the collar band, and is provided with theusual windows. Receiving and discharge pipes 19 and 20 for supplying airare attached to the rear of the upper portion of the armor. The sleevesare composed of continuous spiral coils of wire retained by flexiblebands 21 extending longitudinally of the sleeves.

The whole of the entire framework is adapted to be covered with somesuitable'rubber or waterproof cloth. 4

The sectional waist portion, and yielding legs and arms permit the diverto move his the coils will spread on one side and come together on theother when a limb or his body is bent.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a diving armor, the combination with a middle section or shell, ofchest and collar sections detachably secured together, a flexiblesection interposed between the middle and chest sections, flexible legsand arms secured to the middle and chest sections respectively, andflexible bands connecting the coils of said legs and arms, substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR HEMENGER.

Witnesses:

HORACE B. SWARTOUT, JOHN D. BURKE.

